Badge - Stop the NF Nazis!
Object
Badge
Production date
1977-1981
Object number
2024.21
Physical Description
Circular badge with a yellow background design, a black text reading 'Stop the FN Nazis!' and a red arrow pointing up inscribed with the organisation's name 'Anti Nazi League'.
Object history
This badge was owned and worn by Hackney activist Ian Rathbone. The Anti-Nazi League (ANL) was an organisation opposing the rise of far right groups, especially the National Front, in the UK during the 1970s.
Personal experiences
Shared by Ian Rathbone, owner of the badge
"Anti-Nazi League and other organisations as well, I suppose really in some ways they were more for white people, than the actual community being under attack. Because white people being the majority of the host community had to be made aware, and had to take action. So the anti-nazi league was a really great way of making it clear, the very title tells you what you were up to!
And in Hackney in 1978 a National Front candidate nearly got in, got about 400 votes. This was quite significant. I mean Shoreditch was a very white area and a Nazi breeding ground. The National Front actually had their headquarters in Curtain Road, and they used to have marches two or three times a week. Provocative, intimidating marches around the streets and so on. So things like Anti-Nazi league are quite important."
Associated Organisation
Associated Person
Ian Rathbone
Material
Metal
Plastics
Dimension
Diameter (Front): 43mm
On display?
No
Inscription
Stop the FN Nazis!
Anti Nazi League
Anti Nazi League